Approval Vs. Approved: Understanding The Key Differences

Hey guys! Ever get a little fuzzy on the difference between 'approval' and 'approved'? You're not alone! These two words are super closely related, but knowing their distinct meanings can make a huge difference in how you communicate, especially in professional settings. Let's dive deep into the nuances of approval and approved to clear things up once and for all. Understanding these terms isn't just about grammar; it's about precision in your language and ensuring your message lands exactly as intended. Whether you're signing off on a document, discussing a project's status, or simply trying to understand a contract, getting these right matters.

What Exactly is 'Approval'?

First off, let's talk about approval. In its essence, approval is a noun. It refers to the act of giving official permission or agreement. Think of it as the concept or the state of being agreeable. When something receives approval, it means it has been looked at, considered, and given the green light. It's the process or the result of a decision-making step where a proposal, plan, or request is found to be satisfactory and is therefore accepted. For example, a company might have a strict approval process for all new marketing campaigns, meaning each campaign must go through a series of checks and be officially sanctioned before it can be launched. The board's approval is the crucial final step before the new product can hit the shelves. This noun signifies the acceptance itself, the nod of assent, the official go-ahead. It's the positive judgment passed on something. The approval rating of a political leader can fluctuate based on their performance and public perception. We are seeking the management's approval for the budget increase. The entire team celebrated the approval of their innovative proposal, which had been in the works for months. This term embodies the positive reception and validation of an idea or action. The committee is responsible for granting approval for all research grants. It’s the formal acknowledgement that something meets the required standards or desires. The approval from the regulatory body is essential for the drug's release. Without approval, the project cannot proceed. It’s the power to say 'yes' or 'no', and in this context, it's the 'yes' that's being discussed. The approval process can sometimes be lengthy and involve multiple stakeholders, each with their own criteria to satisfy. It signifies that a particular item or action has been deemed acceptable and has met all necessary prerequisites. The approval was granted after a thorough review of all submitted documents. It’s the culmination of a vetting process, the official endorsement.

'Approved': The Past Tense Powerhouse

Now, let's switch gears to approved. This is your past tense verb or past participle. Approved describes something that has already received official permission or agreement. It's the state of having been given the green light. If a project plan has been approved, it means the act of approval has already taken place. The marketing campaign that received approval can now move forward. So, while 'approval' is the act or state of agreeing, 'approved' is the result of that act. It's what happens to something after it gains approval. For instance, a loan application that is approved means the bank has officially agreed to lend the money. The architect's design was finally approved by the city council after several revisions. This word denotes that the action of sanctioning has been completed. The budget proposal, once approved by the finance committee, will be sent to the board for final ratification. We received the approved blueprints yesterday, so construction can begin next week. The software update has been approved for deployment across all company servers. This implies that the necessary checks and authorizations have been successfully passed. The candidate's resume was approved by HR, moving them to the next stage of the hiring process. It’s the status of having met the criteria and received the go-ahead. The travel request was approved with the condition that all expenses are documented. This shows the completed action of giving permission. The committee approved the new policy unanimously. The final decision was approved by the CEO. It's the past action of agreeing. The approved budget allows us to move forward with the project. The approved design features a modern, minimalist aesthetic. This adjective form tells us that something has passed the test and is now considered acceptable. The teacher approved the student's essay, awarding it a high grade. The approved version of the document is now available for download.

Bringing it All Together: The Core Distinction

The main difference boils down to this: approval is the what (the act, the concept, the permission), and approved is the when or how (the completed action, the resulting state). You seek approval, and if granted, the item is then approved. A proposal requires approval; once it gets it, the proposal is approved. It's a cause-and-effect relationship. The manager's approval is needed before you can submit the expense report. Once the manager gives their approval, your report is considered approved. You can't have something be approved without the act of approval having occurred. Think of it like this: 'The approval of the new strategy is pending.' Here, 'approval' is the noun, the thing being sought. Then, 'The new strategy has been approved.' Here, 'approved' is the verb (participle) indicating the action has happened. Approval is the power to say yes, and approved is the status of having received that 'yes.' We are requesting the necessary approval from the landlord before we can paint the apartment. Once we get their approval, the walls will be approved for a new coat of paint. The legal team's approval is the final hurdle before the contract can be signed. After their approval, the contract will be approved by all parties. This distinction is subtle but vital for clarity. Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion, especially in formal communication where precision is key. Approval is the decision, the authorization. Approved is the status of the item that received the decision. The approval process for permits can take several weeks. Once your permit is approved, you will receive a notification. It’s about the giving versus the having been given. The approval is the permission granted. The project is approved once that permission is received. The approval of the merger was a significant event for both companies. The terms of the merger were approved by the shareholders. It’s the fundamental difference between the action and the outcome of that action. The approval rating refers to how well-liked someone is, the general agreement. The candidate's policies were approved by a majority of voters. It’s the journey versus the destination, the process versus the result.

When to Use Which: Practical Examples

Let's nail this down with some practical examples to make sure you've got it:

• Seeking Approval: "We are submitting our proposal to the board to seek their approval." (Here, approval is the noun – the thing we want.)
• Granting Approval: "The committee granted final approval for the construction project." (Again, approval is the noun – the act of giving permission.)
• An Approved Item: "Please refer to the approved vendor list." (Here, approved is an adjective describing the list – it has been sanctioned.)
• An Approved Action: "The budget has been approved and is now in effect." (Approved is the past participle, showing the budget received permission.)
• The Approval Process: "The approval process for new software takes approximately two weeks." (Approval is a noun, referring to the entire sequence of events.)
• An Approved Plan: "We are operating under the approved plan that was ratified last month." (Approved describes the plan that has received the official go-ahead.)

See? When you're talking about the act or the state of agreeing, you use approval. When you're talking about something that has received that agreement, you use approved. It's like the difference between 'love' (the feeling) and 'loved' (the state of being loved). Approval is the abstract concept, the permission. Approved is the concrete status, the result of receiving that permission. The approval of the merger was a major turning point. The merger was approved by the shareholders. It’s the decision-making power versus the outcome of that power being exercised. The approval process is designed to ensure quality. All submitted items are then approved or rejected based on set criteria. It’s the 'yes' that is given, versus the 'yes' that has been received. The approval rating of the president is a key indicator of public trust. His policies were approved by a significant margin. The approval of the new curriculum is expected next month. The curriculum has been approved by the educational board. It is about the giving of permission versus the having received of that permission.

Why This Matters in Your Day-to-Day

Understanding the difference between approval and approved isn't just nitpicking grammar. It impacts clarity in your writing and speaking. Using 'approval' when you mean 'approved' can make sentences sound awkward or even change their meaning. For example, saying "The document is approval" sounds incorrect. It should be "The document is approved." Or, "We need to get document approval" is less precise than "We need to get the document approved" or "We need the document's approval." The former implies seeking permission for the document itself, while the latter implies the document needs to pass a review. This level of detail ensures that when you're communicating, especially in business or legal contexts, there's no room for misinterpretation. It builds trust and professionalism. When you use these terms correctly, you demonstrate attention to detail and a strong command of language. This can be particularly important in fields like project management, finance, legal services, and even in everyday administrative tasks. For example, in project management, a deliverable can only be considered complete once it has received formal approval. Until then, it's just a work in progress, not an approved deliverable. In finance, loan applications are either awaiting approval or have been approved. There's no middle ground in terms of their status. The legal team meticulously reviews contracts, and their approval signifies that the contract is legally sound and approved for signing. Even in simpler scenarios, like requesting time off, you need your manager's approval for your leave request. Once granted, your absence is approved. So, the next time you're drafting an email, signing a form, or discussing a project's status, take a moment to consider whether you need the act of permission (approval) or if you're describing something that has received permission (approved). Getting this right ensures your message is crystal clear and achieves its intended purpose. It elevates your communication from good to great!

So there you have it, guys! The simple yet significant distinction between approval and approved. Keep these points in mind, and you'll be communicating with confidence and precision. Happy communicating!